Control mechanism



Oct. 20, 1959 B. E. ENSSLE 2,909,626

CONTROL MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 18, 1958 INVENTOR:

BRUNO E. ENSSLE Oct. 20, 1959 B. E. ENSSLE 2,999,526

CONTROL MECHANISM Filed March 18, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR: I BRUNO E. ENSSLE United States Patent CONTROL MECHANISM Bruno Eugen Enssle, Boulder, Colo., assignor to Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 11]., a corporation 'of Delaware Application March 18, 1958, Serial No. 722,319

4 Claims. (CL 200-38) This invention relates to the construction of a mechanism occasionally referred to as memory devices" and is particularly associated with a type of such mechanism in which the recorded or memorized data is recalled at a predetermined phase relationship with respect torthe moment of recording. The recalled information is ordinarily used as a basis of controlling other equipment. With devices of this type, it is possible to record information which is to be used after a time interval which will allow for certain conditions to take place. An example of an application is in the controlof automatic spraying equipment for applying paint to leather or other irregular objects as they move along a conveyor. For practical reasons, it is undersirable to attempt to use a detector within the spray area for establishing the outline of the hide in order to direct the spray exclusively .at the hide rather than at the full width of the conveyor. However, it has proved to be entirely satisfactory to record an image of the outline of the hide at a distance upstream along the conveyor from the spray position, followed by the use of the recorded image to energize the spray controls after an exact time delay which will permit the hide to move on the conveyor from the detecting point down to the spray chamber. The wording recorded image used above isintended-in a very broad sense. Any data which signifies the presence of leather on the conveyor at a .particular point amounts to an image when a multitude of these points and data associated therewith are combined to represent a unified system of signals.

To facilitate calibration of the .memory-recall units and to adapt standard units to a variety of installations it is highly desirable that the delay period be easily adjustable. This invention provides a primarily mechanical unit for .memorizing the data, with electrical switches being used as a means of recalling the information as the preferred and most simple arrangement. The use of a switch actuator for recalling thedata is entirely a matter of choice, as is also the use of electromagnetic forces for positioning the mechanical components during the memorizing operation.

In the preferred form of the invention, a rotatable shaft carries a rotor provided with a series of holes disposed near the periphery of the rotor and parallel to its axis. A group of pins are slideably mounted in these holes, and are positionedaxially by the electromagnetic memorizing portion of the device. The switch arctuators associated with the recall mechanism are preferably mounted for a substantially radial movement. A radial engagement of pins slideably mounted in axial holes results in the possibility of generating large actuating forces, which gives the machine designer considerable latitude with regard to his selection of switches.

The recall switches are preferably mounted on arms which are adjustable about the axis of the rotor to vary the delay period as required. A plurality of arms can conveniently be used in connection with installations where the same. data may be required at successive stations along a moving conveyor. The invention also provides an arrangement for locking the pins in theposition determined by the memorizing system so that the effect of gravity or vibration will not displace them sufficiently to operate the recall switches.

The several features of the invention will be analyzed in detail through a discussion of the particular embodiments illustrated in the acompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 presents a side view of a memory-recall mechanism showing certain of the moveable abutment pins displaced as a result of incoming signals. Figure 1 mechanism utilizes fixed-position recall switches.

Figure 2 illustrates a modified form of the invention from that shown in Figure l which involves a holdingdevice for maintaining the position ofthe abutment pins.

Figure 3 presents a fragmentary sectional view on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rotor, and showing the device illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 4 presents an end-view of the device illustrated in'Figure 1.

Figure 5 presents a fragmentary view of a modified form of the invention in which the recall switches are mounted on adjustable arms.

Figure 6 presents a fragmentary view of the unit illustrated in Figure 5.

Referring to Figures 1 and 4, a bracket structure indicated in dotted lines at 10 and of any convenient form provides a mounting for the fixed base member 11. This member is secured to the mounting 10 by bolts as shown at 12 and 13. The fixed member has a central bearing portion indicated at 14 for rotatively'receiving the shaft 215. Normally, this shaft willbe driven at a predetermined relationship with some other component, such as the movement of a conveyor. The angular position of the shaft will therefore at all times be related to the movement of the conveyor. A keyway .16 of conventional configuration is preferably used to fix the relationship between the shaft 15 and the power-transfer coupling associating it with the driving apparatus.

A plate 17 is fixed with respect to the base member 11 with the screws 18 and 19 to form a reference member, and provides a support for the recall switches 20 and 21. The actuating arms 22 and 23 of the recall switches .20 and 21, respectively, are pivotally mounted at 24 and 25 so that the movement of the outer extremity of these arms is in a substantially radial direction with respectto the axis of the shaft 15.

A rotor 26 isfixed with respect to the shaft 15, and is provided with a group of holes adjacent its periphery, and which accommodate the pins 27 in sliding relationship. If desired, the pins 27 may be formed withv slight enlargements at the left end as shown in Figure 1 so that the pinsmay not be withdrawn to the right sufliciently to remove them from engagement from the disc 26. A plate 28 issecured to the end of the rotor by any convenient means following the assembly of the pins to the rotor and establishes a predetermined freedom of axial sliding movement of the pins within the confines of the peripheral group of holes. The rotor extension of reduced diameter between the plate 28 and the larger diameter of the rotor serves to establish this freedom of movement. This same construction is utilized in the Figure 2 modification, where it is more clearly apparent in the drawings. The portion of reduced diameter is 1 indicated at 29, which separates the plate 28 from the section 30 of major diameter.

The positioning of the pins 27 in either the retracted position where they do not project substantially from the right-hand face of the rotor as shown in Figure 1, or in the displacedposition wherein they project from the face 3 of the rotor, is controlled by the electromagnetic posi tioning unit indicated generally at 31. An incoming signal delivered through the wires 31a will result in the generation of a field of magnetic flux which is of sufficient strength to slide the pins 27 to the right into the limit position determined by the block 32. The cam member 33 tends to retain the pins in retracted position until the desired point is reached wherein movement of the pins should be permitted. The cam member 33 has the added function of restoring any projected pins to the retracted position after they have moved beyond the position of the recall switches. If desired, the cam member 33 and the limit block 32 may also be utilized as poles of the magnetic circuit generated by the positioning unit 31. Preferably, a resilient finger 34 is mounted on the post 35 secured to the fixed plate 17 to retain in the retracted position other pins than those in the particular position where the influence of the magnetic circuit is desired. The finger 34 is deflected radially outward by a fully-projected pin.

A series of incoming signals arriving as pulses of short duration as the shaft 15 is rotating will result in the displacement of certain of the pins 27 into projected position as shown in Figure 1. These pins will remain in this position until they have completed the travel around the axis of the shaft to the point where they are engaged by the actuating arms 22 and 23. Since the rotation of the shaft 15 is coordinated with the mechanism to be controlled, the result of this operation will be the delivery of the data provided by the signal pulses in the form of similarly-grouped pulses at a predetermined phase relationship (or delay) after the moment of recording. The lead wires 36 and 37 from the recall switches will deliver the recalled signals to the controlled equipment through conventional electrical circuits. If desired, the purely mechanical movement of the switch arms 22 and 23 may be transferred by conventional mechanical means to perform the control function. Similarly, the positioning unit 31 can be based upon such other forces as compressed air, a mechanical actuating arm entering into the area back of the pins 27 adjacent the plate 28, or the action of gravity itself may be utilized to move the pins if suitable retention means he incorporated as shown in connection with Figures 2 and 3.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the same form of fixed base member 38 may be used as is shown in connect-ion with the base member 14 in Figure 1. The plate 39 is fixed with respect to the base member, and the rotor 40 is of similar construction to the rotor 26 of Figure 1. The positioning and recall portions of the device may be similar to those shown in connection with Figure 1. The pins on the Figure 2 modification are formed as best indicated at 41, and include an annular groove 42. The retention plate 43 is mounted on legs 44 secured to the base flange 45 mounted on the plate 39 with suitable fastenings such as rivets 46. Most of the periphery of the plates 43 is circular, and is coaxial with the shaft 47. The diameter of the circular portion is such as to engage the annular grooves 42 with the pins 41 in freely sliding relationship and thereby maintain the position of the pins on either side of the positioning mechanism. At the portion in the periphery where the positioning 'of the pins is controlled by the positioning mechanism, a discontinuity in the periphery of the plate 43 is provided to disengage the plate from the annular grooves 42 so that their axial movement is permitted. This arrangement may be utilized in situations where the effect of gravity or vibration or other extraneous forces are to be expected which might alter the positioning of the pins in a manner unrelated to the incoming signals. I

Referring to Figures and 6, an arrangement for adjustably mounting the recall switches is illustrated. The shaft 49, the base member 50, the plate 51, and the switch unit 52 are similar in construction to the shaft 15, base member 14, plate 17, and switches 20 and 21 of Figures 1 and 4. The rotor 53 is also similar in construction to the rotor 26, and the pins 54 are of the type shown in the Figures 1 and 4 modification. In place of mounting the recall switches in fixed position on the plate 51, a pair of adjustable arms of substantially similar construction are rotatably mounted for movement about the axis of the shaft 49. Both of these arms are constructed as indicated at 55. The extension 56 serves as a bracket on which the switch 52 is mounted, and the arm also includes a U-shaped portion 57 embracing the outer periphery of the plate 51. A thumb screw 58 is disposed to generate a clamping action to lock the selected angular position of the arm 55 about the axis of the shaft 49. The presence of the two arms 55 and 59 in stacked relationship along the shaft 49 requires a slight difference in the positioning of the switches on the extensions 56, but the construction of the arms is otherwise identical. The angular relationship between each of the arms and the positioning mechanism establishes a particular sector which determines the phase relationship between the point of recording and the point of recall. With a plurality of arms and recall switches, it is possible to utilize the recorded information more than once before it is finally cancelled out by the restoring cam 33. Many situations arise where a dual useof a recorded information is desirable, as in the case of the control of automatic spraying equipment. The passage of the spray guns over the conveyor normally takes place at two or more positions along the conveyor, and the time delay between the point of detection and the point where the spray control must be energized must be correspondingly altered. A gang of the devices similar to any of the modifications illustrated in the drawings can be associated with a similar gang of detecting members, with the re called signals being applied to a fixed contact sector of a rotary switch corresponding to the position of the detecting element on the conveyor. As the moveable spraying equipment (either rotary or linear) passes this particular contact, the spray guns Will be energized at that position. This arrangement has the effect of causing information regarding the existence of a portion of a hide at a particular point on the conveyor to be transferred directly downstream in a linear fashion with the conveyor movement to a point on the rotary switch corresponding to the position of the spraying equipment directly opposite this point. The presence of an activating signal will therefore cause the spray gun to deliver the spray material at the spot on the hide which was detected by the detecting element in the first instance.

The particular embodiments of the present invention which have been illustrated and discussed herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims. In these claims, it is my intent to claim the entire invention disclosed herein, except as I am limited by the prior art.

I claim:

1. A control mechanism, comprising: a reference member; a shaft rotatably mounted with respect to said reference member and having a normal direction of rotation; a rotor mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, said rotor having a plurality of holes substantially equidistant from the axis of said rotor; abutment means of magnetic material including a pin, said pin having an annular groove at an intermediate point thereon, said pin being moveably mounted in said rotor holes; positioning means including electromagnetic means disposed when energized magnetically to withdraw said abutment means with respect to said rotor into a position projecting therefrom; detector means including a switch having an actuating member moveable in a substantially radial direction and disposed in the path of movement of displaced abutment means; bracket means supporting said detector means, said bracket means being angularly adjustable with respect to said reference member about the axis of said rotor; restoring means including a cam disposed at a position subsequent to said detector means and prior to said positioning means with respect to the normal path of movement of said displaced abutment means, said restoring means being operative to replace said abutment means in a position to clear said detector means; and a circular holding plate mounted coaxia-lly with said rotor and fixed wtih respect to said re ference member, said holding plate having a diameter and thickness selected to engage said annular groove in said pin means with said pin means in displaced position, said holding plate having a peripheral discontinuity opposite said restoring means and said positioning means.

2. A control mechanism, comprising: a reference member; a shaft rotatably mounted with respect to said reference member and having a normal direction of totation; a rotor having a front face mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, said rotor having a plurality of holes substantially equidistant from the axis of said rotor and parallel to the axis of said rotor; abutment means including a ferromagnetic pin, said pin having an annular groove at an end portion thereof, said pin being normally positioned in one of said holes with its end substantially flush with the front face of the rotor and being movably mounted in said rotor hole; electromagnetic positioning means disposed when energized magnetically to withdraw said pin from said normal position with respect to said rotor front face into a position projecting therefrom with the grooved end portion extending beyond the front face of the rotor; detector means including a switch having an actuating member disposed in the path of movement of the displaced pin; bracket means supporting said detector means, restoring means disposed at a position subsequent to said detector means and prior to said positioning means with respect to the normal path of movement of said displaced abutment means, said restoring means being operative to replace said pin into its normal position to clear said detector means; and a circular holding plate mounted coaxially with said rotor and fixed with respect to said reference member, said holding plate having a diameter and thickness selected to engage said annular groove in said pin with said pin in displaced position, said holding plate having a pcripheral discontinuity opposite said restoring means and said positioning means.

3. A control mechanism, comprising: a reference member; a shaft rotatably mounted with respect to said reference member and having a normal direction of rotation; a rotor having a front face mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, said rotor having a plurality of holes substantially equidistant from the axis of said rotor and parallel to the axis of said rotor; abutment means of magnetic material including a pin, said pin being moveably mounted in each of said rotor holes; corresponding ends of all of said pins being normally disposed substantially flush with the front face of the rotor; positioning means including electromagnetic means disposed when energized magnetically to withdraw said pins from their normal position projecting from said front face of the rotor; detector means including a switch having an actuating member disposed in the path of movement of the projecting end portions of the pins; bracket means supporting said detector means, said bracket means being angularly adjustable with respect to said reference member about the axis of said rotor; and restoring means including a cam disposed adjacent said front face of the rotor at a position subsequent to said detector means and prior to said positioning means with respect to the normal path of movement of said displaced pins, said restoring means being operative to replace said pins to their normal position to clear said detector means.

4. A control mechanism, comprising: a reference member; a shaft rotatably mounted with respect to said reference member and having a normal direction of rotation; a rotor having a front face mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, said rotor having a plurality of holes substantially equidistant from the axis of said rotor; abutment means including a pin of ferromagnetic material moveably mounted in each of said rotor holes; corresponding ends of said pins being substantially flush with the front face of said rotor; electromagnetic positioning means disposed when energized magnetically to withdraw said pins outwardly with respect to said rotor front face into a position projecting therefrom; detector means having an actuating member disposed in the path of movement of displaced abutment means; bracket means supporting said detector means; and restoring means including a cam disposed adjacent said front face of the rotor at a position subsequent to said detector means and prior to said positioning means with respect to the normal path of movement of said displaced abutment means, said restoring means being operative to replace said pins with said ends in a position substantially flush with the front face of the rotor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,020,877 Coolidge Nov. 12, 1935 2,217,342 Ladrach Oct. 8, 1940 2,601,154 Krueger et all June 17, 1952 2,827,531 OBrien Mar. 18, 1958 

